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A significant earthquake struck the Balikesir region of Türkiye on Monday, sending tremors across a wide swath of the country's western provinces, including Istanbul and Izmir.
The earthquake, estimated at magnitude 6, produced prolonged shaking that caused panic and fear among residents in affected areas. The extended duration of the tremors intensified concerns as people fled buildings and sought safety.
Türkiye sits on major fault lines and has experienced devastating seismic activity throughout its history. The North Anatolian Fault, one of the world's most active earthquake zones, runs across the northern part of the country near the Marmara region where Istanbul is located.
The proximity of the earthquake to densely populated urban centers like Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city with over 15 million residents, and Izmir, the country's third-largest city, raised immediate concerns about potential casualties and structural damage.
The earthquake occurred at 10:48 p.m. local time in the Sindirgi district of Balikesir province, according to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), which recorded the magnitude at 6.1 with a depth of 5.99 kilometers. The Kandilli Observatory measured the quake at magnitude 6.0 with a depth of 11.4 kilometers.
Residents speaking to Türkiye Today from Istanbul and Izmir reported the earthquake lasted approximately 30 to 40 seconds. Footage from a Twitch streamer broadcasting during the event confirmed the tremors exceeded 30 seconds in duration.
The shaking was felt across Bursa and Canakkale in addition to Istanbul and Izmir, affecting millions across western Türkiye.
Minutes after the initial quake, at 10:50 p.m. local time, a magnitude 4.2 aftershock struck the same area at a depth of 7 kilometers, AFAD reported.
Sindirgi Mayor Sak reported that buildings in the area had collapsed, though specific details were not immediately available.
The region has experienced significant seismic activity in recent months. Following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Sindirgi on Aug. 10, more than 12,000 aftershocks have occurred in the area.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that AFAD and relevant agencies immediately began field assessments following the earthquake. "All teams from AFAD and our related institutions have immediately begun field surveys," Yerlikaya said in a statement on social media, offering well-wishes to affected citizens.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said relevant units, particularly AFAD, "are meticulously continuing their investigations and inspections in the field, we are closely monitoring the process."
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said authorities were coordinating closely to monitor the situation. "So far, there has been no adverse situation reported to our Ministry units," he stated, while expressing sympathy for those affected.
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